Today the University of Washington and Tsinghua University announced a groundbreaking partnership to establish a new science and technology focused academic institute, the Global Innovation Exchange or GIX.

Microsoft is a founding partner for GIX, and is providing $40 million in financial support. Other universities, companies and research-focused nonprofits are expected to join GIX, and within a decade over 3,000 people will be studying in a new custom-built facility in Bellevue’s Spring District on Seattle’s eastside.

Our support for GIX is grounded in our mission. Microsoft was founded on the belief that technology can empower people to do amazing things. Today, our mission is to empower every individual and every organization on the planet to achieve more. This includes helping people tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our world today.

Solving problems depends on smart people working together in new ways and in new partnerships. Beginning in 2016 with an inaugural master’s degree in technology innovation, GIX will bring together people from around the world to learn about and work on innovative ways to address some of our biggest global challenges. They’ll address the role that science and technology can play in addressing issues such as climate change, energy, healthcare and urban planning, among other potential topics.

GIX will create a lot of new opportunities – more opportunities for more students to study important subjects, opportunities for deeper relationships and the exchange of ideas between the U.S. and China, and economic opportunities across the innovation ecosystem.

We’re excited to be able to play a role in helping to make GIX a success.